Even though I read the Gocco instruction manual and watched the how-to videos a million times, I was still really nervous about breaking open my new Gocco machine. I decided to start simple, with only one color (black) and a simple line drawing illustration that I drew.
This is me right before my Gocco machine decided to teach me my first lesson. Pardon the mess, I tend to fling stuff everywhere when I’m attempting to be crafty. I also tend to wear unmatching jammies. And yes, those are pink princess balloons.
I was super excited when the Gocco flashed because I figured it meant I did something right. Right? Wrong. I lifted the top to discover only half of my print had transferred to my master, and the other half was blank. I wasn’t sure what I did wrong until I realized only one of the bulbs had flashed. I figured I just didn’t screw it in right, so I unscrewed it and rescrewed it, then I threw away the very hot already-flashed bulb and screwed a new bulb in its place. For extra reassurance, I went to a Flickr discussion group for Gocco and discovered that sometimes bulbs can be defective and just not work. Crap. I glanced back at my Gocco machine and forgot which bulb was the “defective” one and which was the new one I screwed in. I figured it made more sense to just toss them both out then to have to possibly ruin another blue filter screen. So, I threw the two bulbs away, shrugged and started fresh. I also put in new AA batteries because I wasn’t sure if that might have been part of the problem.This time, I double-checked everything and crossed my fingers and luckily, it worked!
This is the inked screen, which was a pain in the arse to clean.
I was a scaredy cat and didn’t want to mess up any of my pretty, curry-colored Paper Source cards, so I tested the print out on a piece of ugly notebook paper first.
Success! I highly recommend a drying rack, it definitely saved my cards from being trampled on by our curious pooch, Betty White.
I thought this would be an appropriate first project to share with the hive.
I think for my next card I’ll attempt to do a multi-colored illustration with more detail. The idea of trying more than one color makes me a bit nervous, but seeing all of the bees with their intricate invitations and projects definitely makes me want to try my hand at something for advanced. I’ll be selling my Gocco cards in my Etsy shop and in several local boutiques, because I’m a total Martha wannabe at heart.
For my next project I want to make thank you cards for our bridal shower. which will be in early August. I also want to do something cute to thank our bridal party, to go along with the gifts we’ll be giving them at our rehearsal dinner. I can already tell this will be my newest addiction (a very healthy one, at that!). I ordered a bajillion different colors of cards and envelopes from Paper Source and can’t wait to bring more ideas to life. I also bought a Xyron machine last week, thanks to the 40% off Michael’s coupon that was posted on Weddingbee. Making stickers has never been so easy and fun 
Did anyone else find it hard to get the courage to start their first Gocco project?
Oh my goodness, those cards are SO cute! I love the bees!! Nice job!
Yaaaaay! Congratulations on your first project! It’s so awesome and cute, I love it. Now you can teach me your oh so wise and purty ways…
My invitations went out a week later than I had planned because I was so scared to make the first move with my gocco! I am so happy I did, though! They were beautiful and it is VERY easy to use.
Those are so super duper cute!
and everyone knows all genius work is done while wearing unmatching jammie jams.
Cute stuff. Love the “swarming.”
And now we can stalk you on Etsy, too?
Totally Awesome.
I’m so happy to see this post- I’m trying my first Gocco project next weekend- I’ve been looking forward to this for many weeks…but I’m also a little nervous. Your cards look so great= it makes me think I can do it too!
I have tried about 10 time in the last few months and still no luck. I’ve tried to copy my image at Kinko’s, copier at work, etc. and my images are still not working. Can I ask what did you use for your images. Did you use a copier or a laser jet printer?
So cute!
At first I thought the card said, “you’re invited to my house sugaring party” (I think sugaring involves honey )…so I thought that was a cute card and an interesting type of party to have, but I re-read it and saw it is “house swarming” which is so cute…I love puns and play on words!
I can’t wait to see the cards you’re going to offer for sale on your etsy shop!
Zombiebride is a goccoing machine.
I don’t know why I never thought of this earlier, but here is an idea for a cheap print drying device. You know those sock and underwear ocotopod things you hang on a closeline? Like this one http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/39/a/AAAAAkrkS4QAAAAAADmtSA.jpg
Saves a lot of space when you fold it up, and while drying it can be put up and out of the way of everything.
those look cute! i’m still skulking around looking for a reasonable priced gocco because i just can’t get myself to pay to crazy prices i’ve seen so far but i’m convinced that i’ll be successful. i can’t wait to get my hands on one!
@K:
hi there! i go to thinkink.net for my inks, and sometimes paper source
thanks for the card lovin’ guys!
@Shelli:
i copied my images on a laser printer at work and luckily it went along smoothly. i can’t imagine how frustrated you must be to be messing up screens trying to figure out how to get your image to work. humph! i suppose you could always use the gocco pen that’s provided if you like drawing…but that’s much more of a pain in the bum.
@sandy:
haha that’s too funny. thanks so much
@Alex (zombiegroom):
I love those octopod hangy things…they have those at Ikea here and I always ooooo and aaaaaaah at them. Genius idea mister!
@tea:
oooo I hope you find an affordable one soon!
Burning your screens shouldn’t ruin your blue filters, you can use the same one over and over again. Only the screens are the ones that can’t be re-burned. You may have been referring to the screens rather than the filter, but I just wanted to make sure you knew and weren’t using a new filter everytime!
And, the cards are adorable
You did such a great job!! I’m thinking more and more about this Gocco thing… They’re absolutely adorable! You go, Miss Candy Corn!
i stare at our gocco every day and wonder when i will summon up the courage to use it. we’re definitely going to start small (maybe thank-you cards?) as well and then work up to printing our save-the-dates and invitations. if it goes well, there’s a giant list of things we’d like to print with it!
Miss Candy Corn, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: Senior Editor/Writer & Freelance Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Student
Engagement Date: September 1, 2004
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: May 6, 2008
Venue: Pennsylvania Museum of Archaelogy and Anthropology
About Me: I enjoy people watching (especially in New Jersey malls), obsessive collecting, drooling over contemporary art, browsing flea markets for vintage finds and eating an absurd amount of cheese. In my Philadelphia abode, I create mixed media artwork and one-of-a-kind home accessories in the company of my farmer-tanned fiancé, our Westiepoo (Betty White), our three rabbits (Cadbury, Willie Nelson and Applesauce) and our two frisky chinchillas (Ethel Funk and Maude).
I haven’t gotten mine yet, but I’m so excited. I have a 10 item list of things I want to do with it when I get it. My mother is actually buying it for my birthday, so I have to wait until August. She’s buying me the larger one from Paper-Source and I was on there looking for ink to match the projects I want to do, but they don’t have many colors. Can anybody recommend a good online site with lots of colors? Also, how hard is it to custom mix colors? Thanks!